A Russian Su-24 strike aircraft in the sky over the Khmeimim airbase in Syria. Photo: Dmitriy Vinogradov / RIA Novosti
On February 3, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a series of airstrikes on the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
Unidentified targets located near the towns of Kafer Shalaya and al-Rami in the southern countryside of Idlib were hit. This area is known to be infested with military positions of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de-facto ruler of Greater Idlib, and its allies.
غارة الجوية من قبل الاحتلال #الروسي استهدفت محيط قرية #كفرشلايا بريف #إدلب الجنوبي pic.twitter.com/VEj5KWwbwk
— Alsore- (@Alsore95910835) February 3, 2022
إدلب
سلاح الجو يغير على مواقع وتحصينات للمسلحين في بلدة كفرشلايا ومنطقة القياسات بحرش بلدة بسنقول على طريق M4 بريف ادلب . pic.twitter.com/5f2HscwD15
— Syrian intell (@Sy_intell) February 3, 2022
شن الحربي الروسي صباح اليوم عدة غارات جوية على منطقة #كفرشلايا بجبل الزاوية دون وقوع إصابات ولله الحمد.. pic.twitter.com/AlhoYVtpC3
— المرصد أبو أمين 80 (@Najdat567) February 3, 2022
The Russian airstrikes came less than 12 hours after a US counter-terrorism raid that ended with the death of ISIS top leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi. The raid took place in the town of Atimah in the northeastern countryside of Idlib.
The airstrikes were not likely related to the raid, but rather a response to recent ceasefire violations by HTS and its allies.
Under the rule of HTS, Greater Idlib became the largest save haven for terrorists in the Middle East. Despite this, the US and Turkey continue to ignore the terrorist group’s responsibility for the current bad situation in the region where some three million people live.
While regular Russian and Syrian strikes have been keeping HTS and its allies in check, a comprehensive approach to secure and stabilize Greater Idlib is still necessary.
A comprehensive offensive.
A good Serbian offensive on Sarajevo, a good Greek offensive on Skopje and a good Israeli offensive on Gaza would be all good to health.